The world drastically changed with COVID-19’s arrival. We’re actively seeking solutions in uncertain times. The pandemic impacted personal lives and the economy. Yet, it also sparked opportunities for businesses. Castor oil derivatives experienced a surge in demand during this period. Let’s delve into why. As COVID-19 spread, people sought natural remedies, driving up the need for castor oil derivatives. These derivatives found applications in various sectors, from healthcare to beauty products. Businesses quickly adapted to meet the rising demand.
As a result, the castor oil market flourished amidst the crisis. This demonstrates the resilience of industries in challenging times. Certain sectors manage to thrive in the challenging times even through the bustle. Understanding these dynamics sheds light on the broader economic impacts of global crises.
Let’s Begin with the Castor Oil Derivatives
Castor oil products find wide applications in industries like surfactants, cosmetics, and perfumes. They benefit sectors including food, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Castor oil derivatives also have versatile uses. Emerging fields like biopolymers and cosmetics increasingly rely on these derivatives. Their role continues to expand.
1. Ricinoleic Acid
Ricinoleic acid, also called omega-9, naturally occurs in mature castor plants, making up 90% of castor oil. We extract it from castor oil through hydrolysis in the saponification plant. Industrially, we produce it by fractionally distilling hydrolyzed castor oil and then saponifying it. Ricinoleic acid has a light color and serves various purposes in different industries.
This acid serves various purposes in cosmetics, plastics, inks and coatings. It combats bacteria, molds, viruses and yeasts. The acid also helps with skin issues like inflammation, acne and fungal infections. It also helps blood clotting and is used in contraceptive jellies. This acid helps spread pigments, dyeing, and is crucial in soaps, industrial lubricants, and metalworking compounds.
2. Turkey Red Oil
Sulphated Castor Oil, or Turkey Red Oil, disperses easily in water. It’s made by adding sulphuric acid to castor oil. This oil, also called the first synthetic detergent, has a strong scent and acts as a surfactant. Its unique properties make it an ideal base for blending with water.
Turkey Red Oil serves multiple purposes:
- Farmers use it as organic fertilizer.
- Textile manufacturers employ it as a surfactant.
- The paper industry utilizes it for defoaming.
- Cosmetic products contain it as emulsifiers.
- Paint links benefit from its lubricating properties.
3. Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Also known as Castor Wax, it originates from castor beans. It is also called castor wax. The oil transforms from liquid to solid via hydrogen processing, ensuring room-temperature solidity. It lacks water solubility and odor.
Ancient Egyptians used castor oil that was hydrogenated for lamps. It lubricates aircraft and is added to dyes, paints, and varnishes. It’s used in cosmetics, polishes, and electrical capacitors. Also used in coatings and greases needing moisture resistance. It’s valuable for polyurethane coating formulation due to its secondary hydroxyl group.
4. Sebacic Acid
Sebacic Acid, derived from castor oil, forms white crystals. It dissolves well in ethanol and ether but only slightly in water. Its name comes from Latin, ‘sebaceous,’ meaning ‘tallow candle,’ due to its use in candle making.
Sebacic acid and its derivatives, like azelaic acid, find various uses in industries such as cosmetics and lubricants. They serve as intermediates for antiseptics and painting materials. Additionally, they act as corrosion inhibitors in metalworking fluids and complexing agents in greases. Moreover they provide effective protection against corrosion in water-based metalworking fluids.
Also read: Jatropha Biodiesel Production Plant in India
It is a known fact that this oil comes from the castor bean that is valued for making soaps and lubricants. It’s a renewable resource largely valued in the chemical industry. This vegetable oil is pressed from castor plant seeds, grown mainly in Africa, South America, and India. Castor is one of the oldest crops but provides only 0.15% of global vegetable oil. The oil is vital for the specialty chemical industry as it’s the sole source of a unique fatty acid.
Applications of Castor Oil
- Hydrogenated Castor Oil: This product finds is application in multiple places in different sectors. Massive usage is in the lubricants, cosmetics, coatings, and printing inks. Additionally it’s used in manufacturing plastics and rubber goods.
- 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid: 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid actively contributes to making glycerine-free greases and aiding in paint production. It plays a vital role in coating systems and rubber processing and is one of the major products of saponification of castor oil.
- Stearate Flakes: We produce versatile calcium & lithium lubricating greases without glycerine. They aid butyl rubber processing and serve various industries like adhesives, inks, and cosmetics.
- Ricinoleic Acid: Poly (anhydrides) are used in coatings, plastics, inks, and cosmetics. They degrade hydrolytically and are used in drug delivery. A new type of biodegradable poly anhydrides based on ricinoleic acid has been made. It treats ringworm, skin inflammation, acne and itching.
Ricinoleic acid is a bactericide and can coagulate blood. It’s used in soaps, industrial lubricants, and dispersion of pigments. Ricinoleate soaps are algaecides for aquaculture which is produced in a continuous saponification plant. They’re also used in resins and thermosetting acrylics. Quaternary ammonium compounds based on ricinoleates are used in cosmetics and textile processing.
- Dehydrated Castor Oil: DCO enhances paints, enamels, and inks. It’s blended with various resins, yielding clear varnishes and coatings. It’s vital in manufacturing lithographic inks, linoleum, and phenolic resins. DCO is crucial in creating fast-drying coatings with alkali resistance, ideal for can linings, corrosion-resistant coatings, and marine finishes.
Final Touch
The popularity of castor oil is driven by a shift towards sustainable options. This shift is fuelled by fluctuating petrochemical prices. The production is led by India, Brazil, and China. They collectively meet over 80% of global demand. Their commitment to eco-friendly practices resonates with the market’s preference for sustainability. India, particularly North Gujarat, stands out as a major producer.
The country benefits from extensive castor crop cultivation. These leading manufacturers play a pivotal role in satisfying global demand for castor oil and its derivatives. The industry is poised for further growth with the demand steadily increasing. It is driven by the versatility and eco-friendliness of castor oil as a renewable resource.
